He chuckled. “No, the couch.”
She gave him the laugh he wanted. Except the laugh was as enticing as if she’d stripped naked before him. He cleared his throat. “What do you want to do?”
She stared at him and he would have sworn he heard her mind speak, Go to bed. “Do?”
“Aw, hell,” he said and pulled her into his arms.
“What—”
“Don’t talk.” His mouth covered hers and he felt his breath leave his body. What was it about this woman that affected him so? The opening of her mouth below his stopped any action of his brain to answer that question.
Eleanor leaned closer to Jake, needing to touch him all over. Her arms wound around his neck as his tongue entered into a mating ritual with hers. This wasn’t the first time she’d been kissed, not even the first time he’d kissed her, but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember any kiss except this one.
She took a quick breath when Jake groaned, but was grateful when he took up his assault again. The pressure of his eager lips against hers made her squirm against him, but it was the feel of his smooth hands against the bare skin of her chest that made her moan and want to touch him in return. Why did he have on so many clothes? she wondered. Shouldn’t he take off some of his clothes?
She grew impatient and dropped her hands from his neck to his shirt, still holding up her end of the kiss. As his hand slipped inside her lace-covered robe, she undid the first few buttons of his shirt.
He lifted his mouth from hers and stared into her eyes as his hand massaged her breast. She closed her eyes, not able to stand the intensity she saw in his coupled with the sensation his roving hands caused.
Jake stopped his massaging motion and she opened her eyes. Seeing the question in them, he gently pressed his lips to hers. When he pulled back, he brought the belt of her robe with him. “God,” he said, pushing her robe off her shoulders onto the back of the couch. The white lace that played peek-a-boo with the body he longed to possess mesmerized him.
Jake watched the play of emotions in her eyes and marveled that he could cause such abandon in her. He was determined to go slowly, to make this night perfect for her. She didn’t help his cause any when she placed a hand to the back of his head and pulled him closer. He reveled in her nearness, the smoothness of her skin against his hard body was almost his undoing.
Eleanor’s tongue slipped out of her mouth as spasms of desire shot through her body. With each touch of his hand and mouth, her body temperature rose and her need for him grew. She wanted to touch him, but she couldn’t make her hand respond to her mind. It was as if her body was no longer under her control.
“Jake,” she pleaded, wanting to touch him the way he was touching her.
He lifted his head and focused desire-glazed eyes on her. Somehow, she managed to mobilize her arms to pull him closer to her. “I want to touch you,” she murmured.
She pushed his shirt off his shoulders. “Jake,” she said again. “I can’t get the shirt off.”
He seemed to come out of his haze long enough to shrug out of the shirt and throw it on the hardwood floor.
Eleanor immediately leaned into him, splaying the fingers of both her hands across his broad, smooth chest. When he sucked in his breath, she gazed into his eyes and a feeling of pure desire swept over her at the knowledge that she could affect this man so.
“Oh, Jake,” she cooed before lowering her head for the kiss they both needed.
“Eleanor,” he murmured. The passion in her eyes when she looked up at him was almost his undoing and he forgot what he wanted to say as his mouth swooped over hers.
She gave herself to him completely, pressing her body so tight against him he could feel the imprint of every piece of lace that covered her.
They were both breathless when he broke the kiss. She rested her head against his chest while he stroked her jaw with his forefinger.
Eleanor heard his labored breathing and was hard-pressed to distinguish it from her own. She’d never felt as in tune with any human as she felt with Jake now. She knew he was as overcome with emotion as she was, and knowing they were equals in their feelings made her want him more.
Eleanor was ready when he moved his mouth to her ear and whispered, “Let’s go to bed.”
She kissed his forehead, placed her hand in his, then stood. She felt his eyes searing every inch of her as she led him to her bedroom and her bed.
She lay on her side on the bed and watched him remove his shoes and pants. When she saw his bikini briefs, she smiled. He definitely had the body for them—firm hips and thighs and everything in between.
An unbidden question as to the number of women who had thought that same thing entered her mind, and for the first time since he’d touched her, she became unsure of what she was doing.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his fingers in the waistband of his briefs.
“You’ve done this a lot, haven’t you?”
He slipped the briefs past his hips and down his legs. Stepping out of them, he joined her on the bed and pulled her into his arms. “No you don’t. There are only two of us in this room and I’m not letting you include some imaginary woman from my past.” He kissed her lips lightly. “Understand?”
She forgot her question as he began his assault upon her senses again. He captured her gaze with his own while his hands eased under the straps of her bodysuit and pushed them down her arms.
He continued removing the lace from her body, his eyes getting darker and darker with each inch of revealed skin. By the time she was naked before him, his eyes were practically black.
She burned with every touch of his glance. His gaze traveled her body leaving a trail of scorching flesh. A spot on her left shoulder burned especially hot and she wondered what he found so fascinating there.
Jake marveled at the beauty of her naked body. She was definitely the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. Her creamy brown skin drew him like magnets drew metal. There was no denying the hold she had on him.
He’d walked into this relationship with Eleanor knowing it was going to be different from other relationships he’d had, but he hadn’t realized how different. He’d planned to leave Lamar when his job was finished and not look back. Now, he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to. Hell, he wasn’t sure he even wanted to.
Eleanor wondered what was happening between them. She knew as well as she knew her name she would never be the same after being with Jake. Her mind told her she should stop now, while she had a chance. Her body told her it was too late to stop and she didn’t have a chance. Her body was right.
Eleanor couldn’t stand it any longer. “Touch me,” she said.
Jake honored her request by resting one hand on her stomach and using the other to pull her mouth to his. She sighed as they resumed the dance they had started in her living room.
Jake eased his body against hers. “I love the way your skin feels. So silky. So smooth. So soft. Oh, so soft.”
His words made her feel as if her backbone had slid out of her body. His firm, warm skin felt as good to her, but she couldn’t tell him. Her mouth’s only purpose now was to kiss him. She moaned, her body a shivering mass of desire. She couldn’t feel anything but her need for him. And his raging need for her. Again, she was awed at the effect she had on him.
Jake wanted the evening to last longer, but he knew that was impossible. If he didn’t have her now, he was sure he’d die. “Eleanor,” he whispered as their bodies joined in a moment of passionate surrender.
“Jake . . .” she began.
He heard the awe in her voice and knew she experienced the same sense of rightness and oneness he felt. It was as though they were alone in the world, as if something bigger than the two of them was being set right by their union. They moved together as if they’d made love thousands of times. They were one in every sense of the word.
Seventeen
When Eleanor opened her eyes the next mornin
g with Jake’s strong arm resting across her stomach, she knew her life would never be the same. She lifted her hand and rubbed it lightly across his head while memories of their night of passion saturated her mind.
She had guessed Jake was an accomplished lover, but she’d never guessed the heights to which his tenderness would take her. From his first touch, she’d been his to do with as he wanted and she hadn’t been disappointed. She smiled a satisfied smile. Each of the four times their bodies had joined was perfect.
Yes, their night had been perfect. And though Jake’s touch brought long-dormant emotions to life, she knew their relationship had no future. She understood Jake had only given himself for the night and she accepted it. She wasn’t sure if she wanted more anyway. At least, not from him.
She’d needed Jake last night and she didn’t regret being with him, but that night would be their first and last encounter. She didn’t want to start thinking of a future with him.
Jake shifted his head and moved his hand to her caress her flat stomach. She sucked in her breath when his fingers began their massage. “Jake,” she whispered.
“Good morning.”
She felt his smile against her skin and his fingers increased their pressure. Though her senses were awakened and she was more than ready to make love with him again, she didn’t think
it was wise. She grabbed his hands and stopped the movement of his fingers. “Jake, we can’t.”
He raised his head and gazed into her eyes. “Why can’t we?”
The sensuous smile curving his lips made her ask herself the same question. She shook her head and pushed the stray strands of hair from her face while she tried to remember why they couldn’t.
He took advantage of her bemused state and kissed her. The kiss was a teasing kiss, one designed to make her want. And make her want it did. She pulled his head closer to her and gave herself up to the moment. Why fight it? She’d tell him later they couldn’t do this anymore.
***
Uncontrolled strands of Eleanor’s thick, nearly black hair tickled Jake’s nose and he awakened to the sight of her beautiful, supple form sprawled across his body.
He wanted her again, but he wasn’t going to wake her. He grinned a satisfied masculine grin. No, he’d play the role of the gallant Southern gentleman and let her sleep for a while longer since he’d kept her up most of the night.
He shook his head when he thought of his first impression of Eleanor. He would never again apply the words stern and prim to her. She’d been everything but that with him last night. And this morning. He smiled again. Maybe he’d continue to use the word mouthy, though, but it would refer to the way she spoke when she kissed him. He’d never enjoyed kissing a woman as much as he’d enjoyed kissing her. He’d heard kisses described as soulful before, but it was only now that he thought he understood what a soulful kiss was.
He pressed his arms around her and closed his eyes. The restful contentment he felt was new to him. Normally, when the after-sleep sex was finished, he was ready to go home. Not this time. No, this morning he was content to hold Eleanor in his arms.
***
The next time he opened his eyes, Eleanor was moving out of the circle of his arms. He tightened his arms around her. “Don’t go.”
She struggled to lift her head and shift away from him a little. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Oh,” he said a little sheepishly and released her. “Hurry back.”
He admired her naked body as she glided away from him. He wanted her again and this time he wasn’t going to play the Southern gentleman.
Eleanor quickly closed the bathroom door and leaned back against it, her legs weak. How could his looking at her do this to her? She knew why. Jake didn’t look at her. He made love to her with his eyes. Though he hadn’t touched her as she’d walked away, she’d felt his hands and his mouth all over her body. Her body was as taut as stretched wire and she knew only Jake could give her relief.
Eleanor moved away from the door and looked at herself in the mirror. She still looked the same, but she knew that was only because she looked on the outside. She knew if she could see the inside, she’d see the change in her. She knew her senses were heightened. The body she’d always been comfortable in was now foreign to her. She had no doubt that no man would ever claim her as Jake had done. Even though she knew that, she wasn’t sad. No, she was happy. Happy to have had this special moment with Jake.
But now the moment was over and she had to tell him to go home. She ignored the dreaded ache that settled across her now- heavy heart at the thought.
***
Eleanor bumped into Jake’s naked body when she walked out of the bathroom.
“I missed you,” he murmured, gathering her in his arms.
She allowed herself a glorious second in his arms, before pulling free. “We have to talk.”
He nibbled along her shoulder and she leaned her head to the side to give him better access. “I’m talking already. Do you hear what I’m saying?”
She forced herself to move away from him. “Jake!”
“God, I want you,” he said, his eyes dark and piercing.
He lifted her in his arms, took her back to bed, and settled her against his chest. He kissed her while his hands explored the already familiar contours of her body.
Her traitorous body responded to his touch and she gave in to her desire. What was one more time?
***
Eleanor fanned at the annoying hand slapping against her rump. “Ouch, stop it.” She turned over and was rewarded with Jake’s smile.
“I’m hungry,” he said, grinning.
“You can’t be serious.”
He laughed and kissed her briefly before getting out of bed. “We’ll have to wait for more of that. Now, I need food.”
Eleanor pulled the pillow over her head so Jake wouldn’t see the rush of blood to her face and also to keep her eyes from his very masculine body. “Go eat then.”
He pulled the pillow away. “Come with me.”
Had he said those words to her during the night? she wondered, then shook her head. She wasn’t going to start looking for sexual innuendo in every statement he made. “I’m not hungry.” Her traitorous stomach growled, making her a liar.
He laughed again. “Come with me. It’s my treat.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She wished he would hurry up and leave.
“Listen,” he coaxed. “I’ll even take you to Mel’s.”
A smile escaped when she thought of their first visit to the diner. “It’s not open on Saturdays.”
He pulled the covers away from her and made love to her with his eyes. “Well, if you won’t go out with me, I guess I’ll have to get my nourishment here.”
Her nakedness worked against her. She hopped out of the bed. “Okay, let’s go get something to eat.”
He laughed at her. “Chicken.”
***
“Is Jake still there?”
Eleanor brushed her hair back with her hand and looked over at Jake’s sleeping form. After a late, late breakfast he’d coaxed her back to bed. She admitted that it hadn’t taken much effort on his part.
“What do you want, Megan?”
Megan giggled. “I guess that means he’s still there.”
Eleanor heard Megan mumble something to someone in the background. It had to be Carl.
“Anyway,” Megan said when she was back, “Carl and I were wondering if you two wanted to go dancing at the Farmhouse with us tonight.”
Eleanor didn’t want to go dancing. She wanted to be alone. She needed to think. One night with Jake had turned into almost two nights. She had to get him out of her cottage or they’d end up spending the entire weekend in bed. As if to confirm her prediction, Jake’s hand reached for her in sleep. She knew then if they didn’t go out with Carl and Megan they’d spend the rest of the night here in bed. “What time are you leaving?”
Megan mumbled something else to Carl, but Eleanor couldn’t make out what it was. “Carl says we can wait for ya’ll to get dressed.”
“Megan . . .” Eleanor warned.
“Well, I’d understand if you two want to spend the rest of the evening in bed. I told Carl—”
“We’ll go,” Eleanor said, cutting her off.
“Good. Why don’t you two drive over to my place when you get dressed?” She giggled again and hung up the phone.
“Megan has to stop giggling like some schoolgirl,” Eleanor mumbled.
“What did you say?” Jake said, turning over to face her.
“Nothing.”
He reached for her. “Well, come here.”
Eleanor wondered how he could keep it up. Literally. “We can’t, Jake. Megan and Carl have invited us to go dancing with them.”
“I don’t want to leave this bed.”
She didn’t either, but what she wanted didn’t matter. This time she was going with her head instead of her body. “I want to go.”
“We can dance here.”
She rolled her eyes, knowing his kind of dancing would not be done standing up. “We’ve been in this house for almost two days.”
He grinned. “Are you complaining?”
He knew full well she wasn’t complaining. At least, not about what they’d shared. “We need to get out,” she said, getting up from the bed. “This room is no longer big enough for me, you and your ego.”
Jake placed his hand across his chest. “You wound me.”
She glared at him. “I’m going dancing. You can sit here and talk to yourself all night, if you want.” She stormed into the bathroom.
***
Eleanor and Megan had gone dancing at the Farmhouse many times on many Saturday nights. They’d always made it a rule never to dance with one guy more than once and to always come home together. They’d never broken that rule.
Until tonight. Carl and Megan were so wrapped up in each other they pretended each song was a slow dance and stood on the floor holding each other. Well, sometimes they did those face-swallowing kisses that made Eleanor wonder how they could breathe.
Between the Lines Page 17
